A bike tyre absorbs shocks on a bad road and thus plays a vital role in avoiding accidents and damage to the two-wheeler. But, that is true only if your bike has a pair of tyres with the proper pressure. Hence a bike tyre is an essential component of a two-wheeler, and you need to maintain them. Well-maintained tyres keep constant traction with the road to avoid skids, hence taking you to your destination without mishaps or delays.
Imagine planning a long bike journey but having a flat tyre and being stranded on the road in an unfamiliar locality. You will not only have to cancel your trip, but you will also have to find a tyre mechanic to get you back on the road. In moments like this, a two-wheeler insurance policy with road assistance add-on cover can surely help you, but you will still have to wait until your bike is ready to continue your journey.
Proper bike tyre pressure maintenance is the only way you can ensure a stress-free ride. Continue reading this article that will educate and guide you in maintaining the pressure of your bike tyre.
Why is it Important to Maintain Bike Tyre Pressure?
Did you know that negligence in maintaining bike tyre pressure can damage your two-wheeler and are highly prone to accidents? A deflated tyre will deform and get overheated. Hence, you will lose control of the bike and could meet with accidents. The tyre could blow out too.
Similarly, an overinflated tyre (too much tyre pressure) reduces the bike's traction with the road and damages the tyre right up to its centre. Continue reading to know why appropriate bike pressure is the key to maintaining your bike economically.
Effects of Under-inflated (Low-pressure) Tyres
Many biker riders believe that tyres with low pressure are safe as they enable traction. But is that correct? Here are some of the effects of low tyre pressure on the two-wheeler and its rider.
Bent Rims
If you ride your two-wheeler with low-pressure tyres, your rims could bend as you bounce on rough and bumpy roads. Although you will barely notice the bent rims, they will increase your trips to the service station because the air in the tyre will leak faster. It will cost you almost nothing to maintain the pressure in the tyres of your two-wheeler, but it will cost you to repair the bends in the rim. Also, frequent trips to the service station can be a hassle.
Read more - These 5 Tips Will Improve Your Motorcycle Tyres in No Time
Reduced Tyre Life
Tyres with low pressure are soft and make too much contact with the road, increasing the friction between the road and the tyre. The tyre will wear out unevenly, with the edges wearing out faster. Bikers who ride their bikes at low tyre pressure replace tyres more quickly than those who maintain the thread pressure because low-tyre pressure reduces the life of a tyre by 25%.
More Claims Against Comprehensive Bike Insurance
Low pressure in your bike's tyres can increase rolling resistance and reduce mileage, resulting in a strain on the two-wheeler's engine. When you force the motorbike's engine to work harder, it will break down faster.
Lower tyre pressure also reduces its braking performance, leading to mishaps and unnecessary trips to the garage resulting in many more claims on your comprehensive bike insurance policy. Your bike insurance will cost you more if you claim frequently
Effects of Over-inflated (High-pressure) Tyres
Riding with over-inflated tyres is as dangerous as riding with low tyre pressure. Overinflation causes the rounding of the outer thread pattern, damaging the centre of the tyre.
The Tyre Could Blow Out
While driving through heavy traffic, you may have heard a sudden loud bursting sound caused by a tyre burst. Overinflation of the tyres can strain the tyres and burst like an overblown balloon. You are sure to lose the tyre, but that's not all.
The sudden bursting of the tyre will make you lose control over your two-wheeler, putting yourself and those around you at risk. Moreover, your two-wheeler is designed to function at a particular tyre pressure. If the tyre pressure is proper, your bike's features will perform well; if not, even the best bike will not work well for you.
Deformation of the Tyre
A tyre has a lifespan, and it runs smoothly during that period. However, if you constantly overinflate the tyres, they will get damaged as you ride your bike over potholes or rough terrain. The tyre will deform and bulge, resulting in lower grip and reduced traction.
The inability of the bike to absorb the shock will result in a bumpy ride. That can impact the whole bike resulting in regular, expensive repairs and early replacement of tyres.
Steps to Maintain the Right Tyre Pressure
Two-wheelers are of different makes and specifications. Thus, you cannot have one specification concerning the proper tyre pressure for all two-wheelers. You can know the appropriate pressure for your bike tyres by reading the manufacturer's manual and proceed with these steps:
- Check the bike tyre pressure with a gauge when the tyres are cold.
- If the tyres are overinflated, release some air until the meter reflects appropriate pressure.
- If the tyres have low pressure, fill them with compressed air until the gauge shows the proper pressure as specified in the user manual.
Conclusion
Your tyres can get underinflated without you knowing it, and the cause may be a bulge or a slow puncture in the tyres. Although it looks good to you, it is advisable to check it every month because low-pressure increases fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission, which is hazardous to the environment.
On the other hand, overinflated tyres may increase fuel efficiency and the braking ability of your motorbike.
The need is to maintain proper pressure as the handbook from the manufacturer specifies to keep your two-wheeler in top condition and conserve the environment. Your attention is to be focused on not just keeping the tyres in a good working condition but also getting a tyre protection cover for your bike to help you deal with such situations better.
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